Serious musicians need basic soldering skills. Learning
simple soldering helps in countless situations—including building cables to
suit your needs and changing pots and jacks. Soldering irons
are especially useful in guitar repair, and they can save you a lot of money
while extending the life of your instrument.
For basic guitar soldering and soldering on most other instruments, you’ll need a 30-watt iron and a smaller 15-watt iron. The 30-watt is good for inside an instrument’s body, and the 15-watt is tiny enough for detail work in stompboxes, PCBs and other tight spaces. A chisel tip is a good starting point and should serve you well for most work. As for flux, avoid the plumbing or paste flux you might have on hand already and invest in rosin-flux cored solder (60/40, lead/tin). This flux works like a charm on most instruments.
Once you’ve got the correct soldering irons and flux, consider getting some accessories to make your work easier. A soldering stand with an attached sponge will make cleaning and maintaining your iron and tip much simpler. Needle-nose pliers, a de-soldering pump, and a “third hand” is also invaluable for soldering jobs ranging from basic to expert. These parts aren’t necessary, though, and you can get started learning soldering for musical instruments with just a couple of irons and the right flux.
For basic guitar soldering and soldering on most other instruments, you’ll need a 30-watt iron and a smaller 15-watt iron. The 30-watt is good for inside an instrument’s body, and the 15-watt is tiny enough for detail work in stompboxes, PCBs and other tight spaces. A chisel tip is a good starting point and should serve you well for most work. As for flux, avoid the plumbing or paste flux you might have on hand already and invest in rosin-flux cored solder (60/40, lead/tin). This flux works like a charm on most instruments.
Once you’ve got the correct soldering irons and flux, consider getting some accessories to make your work easier. A soldering stand with an attached sponge will make cleaning and maintaining your iron and tip much simpler. Needle-nose pliers, a de-soldering pump, and a “third hand” is also invaluable for soldering jobs ranging from basic to expert. These parts aren’t necessary, though, and you can get started learning soldering for musical instruments with just a couple of irons and the right flux.
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